Amelia Kerr signs with Brisbane Heat

New Zealand's legbreak-bowling allrounder Amelia Kerr has signed with Brisbane Heat for the upcoming season of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). She joins Australia's Beth Mooney, Delissa Kimmince and Jess Jonassen as the players with international experience in the Heat squad.

Kerr, 18, has already played 29 ODIs and 24 T20Is. In June 2018, she hit a double-century and claimed a five-for in the same ODI, against Ireland. Among the records she broke that day was Belinda Clark's 21-year-old record of the highest individual score in women's ODIs, as well as becoming the youngest player - male or female - to score a double-century across formats in international cricket.

Kerr said she was excited to be a part of the WBBL. "I've watched it regularly at home and was seriously impressed at the way the Heat won the title last year,'' she said. "A lot of the White Ferns players have had the chance to play in the WBBL and I know it is highly regarded around the world. Now I have the chance to play and I'm confident it's going to be a great experience."

Heat coach Ashley Noffke was equally excited to secure Kerr's services. "Anyone who has followed cricket would be aware that Amelia is a pretty special talent,'' he said. "We've enjoyed having her with the Queensland Fire squad this week and she demonstrated quite quickly how focused and determined she is."

The WBBL is scheduled to begin on October 18. The Heat are the defending champions, having beaten Sydney Sixers by three wickets in the final last season.